7/15 SOX @ Cubs 2:20PM ET

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Paxton vs Stroman(RH)

The Cubs start another RH pitcher, which definitely favors the SOX. Stroman is having a very good season, but so was Hendricks before last night's game. Bello and Paxton have been a great 1-2 punch in the SOX rotation.


Go SOX!

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Duran
Masa
Turner(DH)
Devers
Dugo
Casas
Arroyo
Wong
Kike(SS)

He's baaaack. Don't understand how a manager, who stresses defense, inserts Kike at SS again. Oh, well, maybe Kike will shine today; who knows?

[Jasonbay44]

Duran
Masa
Turner(DH)
Devers
Dugo
Casas
Arroyo
Wong
Kike(SS)

He's baaaack. Don't understand how a manager, who stresses defense, inserts Kike at SS again. Oh, well, maybe Kike will shine today; who knows?

I really don’t understand why Kike is even playing. He’s been one of worst position players in baseball, especially at SS. Chang has a better WAR and he hits .145 because he at least provides defense. Kike provides nothing

[Tedballgame]

Duran
Masa
Turner(DH)
Devers
Dugo
Casas
Arroyo
Wong
Kike(SS)

He's baaaack. Don't understand how a manager, who stresses defense, inserts Kike at SS again. Oh, well, maybe Kike will shine today; who knows?

Maybe Chang is tired after running around the bases on the home run he crushed. No use keeping Chang in there to get hot.

[vegasbob]

Bloom/Cora showing off that Kike is not hurt, so we can get an Ace in return for him, ok maybe throw in Dalbec.

[Jasonbay44]

Bloom/Cora showing off that Kike is not hurt, so we can get an Ace in return for him, ok maybe throw in Dalbec.

Hopefully Ort and Kluber get healthy too so they can put together a huge package

[Maxbialystock]

Duran
Masa
Turner(DH)
Devers
Dugo
Casas
Arroyo
Wong
Kike(SS)

He's baaaack. Don't understand how a manager, who stresses defense, inserts Kike at SS again. Oh, well, maybe Kike will shine today; who knows?

Who says he stresses defense? Yes, Chang played SS yesterday, but Turner played 2b precisely because Cora wanted his best hitters in the lineup. The exceptions were of course Chang and Wong, but Casas and Turner were both in there at 1b and 2b, which allowed Cora to DH Yoshida so that Dugo, Duvall, and Duran could all play in the outfield.

Sox are 41-37 with Kike in the lineup.

[notin]

Who says he stresses defense? Yes, Chang played SS yesterday, but Turner played 2b precisely because Cora wanted his best hitters in the lineup. The exceptions were of course Chang and Wong, but Casas and Turner were both in there at 1b and 2b, which allowed Cora to DH Yoshida so that Dugo, Duvall, and Duran could all play in the outfield.

Sox are 41-37 with Kike in the lineup.

Wong is his best hitting catcher…

[Maxbialystock]

Maybe Chang is tired after running around the bases on the home run he crushed. No use keeping Chang in there to get hot.

He was 1/4 and struck out twice, which sure looked to me like a blind squirrel finding a nut. Last year he played for Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Tampa, and Boston.

[Maxbialystock]

Wong is his best hitting catcher…

Of course--with Alfaro as the backup. In fact, his OPS of .690 is even better than McGuire's .665. I just meant that Wong's forte is defense, but you are right to correct me.

[Maxbialystock]

Hopefully Ort and Kluber get healthy too so they can put together a huge package

The sparkling wit on talksox is why I keep coming back.

[Jasonbay44]

He was 1/4 and struck out twice, which sure looked to me like a blind squirrel finding a nut. Last year he played for Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Tampa, and Boston.

He does one thing and does it well, defense at the SS position. Kike doesn’t play defense (at SS) or hit

[Maxbialystock]

He does one thing and does it well, defense at the SS position. Kike doesn’t play defense (at SS) or hit

With such a great glove (and arm), one wonders why he played for 4 different teams last year. Me, I'm happy to have him on the team, but am even happier to have Cora as the manager. And it kind of boils down to that, doesn't it? You think he's an idiot for playing Kike, and I don't.

[Jasonbay44]

With such a great glove (and arm), one wonders why he played for 4 different teams last year. Me, I'm happy to have him on the team, but am even happier to have Cora as the manager. And it kind of boils down to that, doesn't it? You think he's an idiot for playing Kike, and I don't.

I don’t know, why did José Bautista play for 4 teams in one year? Why did José Iglesias play for 3 teams in one season?

And again, you just put words in people’s mouths. Please show me once ever where I’ve said Cora is an idiot.

I said Kike Hernandez is bad. He is, he can’t hit and can’t field. Just because the Sox have a “winning record” with him doesn’t mean it’s his doing. Austin Gomber is a pitcher for the Rockies. He has an ERA over 6 and negative WAR. Rockies have a winning record with him. You want to add him to the Sox?

[d-money]

Let’s keep this streak going fellas!!!

[notin]

He was 1/4 and struck out twice, which sure looked to me like a blind squirrel finding a nut. Last year he played for Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Tampa, and Boston.

The home run was nice, but Hendricks was taking him down with 88-89mph fastballs.

However, Chang is not in there to hit…

[d-money]

That sucked. Hope Paxton is on his game.

[d-money]

Offense looks dreadful early.

[Jasonbay44]

Stroman is very good. Could be a pitchers duel

[d-money]

Stroman is very good. Could be a pitchers duel

Stroman has been terrible his last two starts. Leave it up to the Sox to make him look good again.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Getting the Cubs' feed and learned that Masa hits the ball on the ground 56% of the time. The league average is 43%. However, he's slugging .489 and the league average is .422.

[d-money]

A leadoff walk.

[Jasonbay44]

Stroman has been terrible his last two starts. Leave it up to the Sox to make him look good again.

He’s been good the majority of his career…

[Jasonbay44]

Paxton really struggling with command this inning

[d-money]

Paxton asking for trouble. Can’t do that.

[d-money]

He’s been good the majority of his career…

He has been a good pitcher i am not saying that. I wonder what his career numbers are against the Sox.

[d-money]

Those walks come back to bite you. They need to limit the damage.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Stroman is very good. Could be a pitchers duel

Pitching is never very good; it's a team's dreadful offense that makes it seem so.

[Jasonbay44]

he has been a good pitcher i am not saying that. I wonder what his career numbers are against the sox.

6-4, 3.65 era

[Jasonbay44]

What the hell are the Sox doing this inning?

[d-money]

6-4, 3.65 era

So they have been able to hit him somewhat.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Defense? What's that? It's a bunch of wooden slats that surround a yard.

[Jasonbay44]

Paxton is getting rocked

[Tedballgame]

Kike and Devers turned this inning into a clown show.

[d-money]

What a fucking disaster. Paxton lays an egg.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Walks plus bad defense=playing from behind.

[Tedballgame]

Inexcusable to give up a grand slam to a left-handed hitter.

[Jasonbay44]

Can’t believe Kike is 0-1 and still can’t field

[d-money]

Cubs have the pitching advantage tomorrow as well.

[Jasonbay44]

Tayler Scott is warming up. Great

[Tedballgame]

The Red Sox squander a good scoring chance in the top of the inning by hitting into a double play, and then play defense, like a bunch of first graders to totally screw up this inning

[d-money]

This is pathetic by Paxton. I am sorry but he laid an egg no matter what the Sox did defensively.

[Jasonbay44]

Great throw Kike

[Tedballgame]

Kike has no idea how to throw the ball.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Cubs have the pitching advantage tomorrow as well.

Cubs actually didn't have the pitching advantage today. Paxton is having a bad game with the help of the SOX shitty defense. Btw, 'SOX shitty defense' is redundant.

[Tedballgame]

This is pathetic by Paxton. I am sorry but he laid an egg no matter what the Sox did defensively.
With mediocre defense on those two plays, the Cubs would’ve only had one run in the inning. Totally changed the inning and the game.

[d-money]

Cubs actually didn't have the pitching advantage today. Paxton is having a bad game with the help of the SOX shitty defense. Btw, 'SOX shitty defense' is redundant.

Paxton stunked period! You can’t give up a hr to a lefty but whateva. This is the story of this team this year. Can’t get too high can’t get too low. Hopefully they bounce back tomorrow.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

This is pathetic by Paxton. I am sorry but he laid an egg no matter what the Sox did defensively.


Quick question; did you ever play baseball in your life? I mean real baseball, not the video game.

[d-money]

With mediocre defense on those two plays, the Cubs would’ve only had one run in the inning. Totally changed the inning and the game.

Can’t give up the hr to the lefty. Also wasn’t ruled an error. Those walks killed him. You can’t walk the first two hitters 🤦*♂️

[d-money]

Quick question; did you ever play baseball in your life? I mean real baseball, not the video game.

Yes i have did you not see what see what Paxton did in that inning? Walked the the first two hitters.

[Jasonbay44]

Turner is such a good hitter

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I really like Turner, but there is one thing about him that angers me. He's 38 and not 33.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Turner is such a good hitter

One could argue he's the best hitter on this SOX team.

[d-money]

Need to put up zeros and hope they can put up a 4 spot to get back in this game.

[Jasonbay44]

Tayler Scott fucking sucks

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Cora: "OK fellas, we're down by 5 in the 4th. I'm putting the 'white flag' on the mound"

[d-money]

Awful awful pitching. Say goodnight.

[notin]

With mediocre defense on those two plays, the Cubs would’ve only had one run in the inning. Totally changed the inning and the game.

Walks and HBP were non-factors?

[Tedballgame]

This is another one of those giveaway games.

[Tedballgame]

Walks and HBP were non-factors?

Obviously, they were factors, but if two fairly routine plays, had been made by Kike and Devers, the Cubs would’ve only had one run that inning.

[Tedballgame]

Please DFA Scott.

[wyo-sox]

This is another one of those giveaway games.

It is looking like that- but boy we can't afford those on days we have an actual starting pitcher on the mound. With all these forced bull pen games- we need better effort by the team on these games.

[wyo-sox]

Kike' just is in a rut.... looks like he is off in every aspect of his game. He needs traded to a different team and to have a fresh start. He's never going to be some amazing player- but he is better than this. I sure don't need to see him manning SS again this year.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

With the SOX current rotation it's almost mandatory the SOX have to win when Bello and Paxton pitch.

[Maxbialystock]

Duran
Masa
Turner(DH)
Devers
Dugo
Casas
Arroyo
Wong
Kike(SS)

He's baaaack. Don't understand how a manager, who stresses defense, inserts Kike at SS again. Oh, well, maybe Kike will shine today; who knows?

I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong, and I sure was today. All those errors by Kike sure didn't do Paxton any good.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

The long layoff may have had a negative effect on Paxton. It can be a bigger problem to some pitchers more than others.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Entering this game the SOX had won 9 of their last 10. I guess they were due for a beat down.

[d-money]

The long layoff may have had a negative effect on Paxton. It can be a bigger problem to some pitchers more than others.

You can’t get too high or too low on this team plain and simple. Either way just cope with the struggles.

[Tedballgame]

Casas crush

[Tedballgame]

Arroyo can’t hit that pitch

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Casas continues his good at bats from yesterday. Looks like he did some positive things during the break.

[Tedballgame]

Arroyo and Wong both swung at 3 balls

[Tedballgame]

Casas continues his good at bats from yesterday. Looks like he did some positive things during the break.

Have to ride with him the rest of the season. Potential is there

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

You can’t get too high or too low on this team plain and simple. Either way just cope with the struggles.

Like I'd just posted the SOX have won 9 of their last 10 with 3 starters. You seem to ignore how impressive that is. Btw, your 'too lows' definitely outweigh your 'too highs.'

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Have to ride with him the rest of the season. Potential is there

No doubt. His main problem that I could see was his tightness at the plate. He seems much more relaxed these last two games and the results have been much better.

[Jasonbay44]

Another pitcher that really fucking sucks

[Maxbialystock]

Another pitcher that really fucking sucks

One thing all Sox pitchers have in common is a reluctance to work the bottom of the strike zone (or even below it). The Cubs starter did almost nothing but work the bottom of the zone. Not to single anyone out, but doing that against Arroyo worked perfectly. He swung at missed at three straight sliders, all below the strike zone.

[d-money]

Like I'd just posted the SOX have won 9 of their last 10 with 3 starters. You seem to ignore how impressive that is. Btw, your 'too lows' definitely outweigh your 'too highs.'

Again what this team needs is a winning streak. You forget this team won 78 games last year. They’re not the A’s. Just inconsistent. Offseason should be interesting once again.

[Jasonbay44]

One thing all Sox pitchers have in common is a reluctance to work the bottom of the strike zone (or even below it). The Cubs starter did almost nothing but work the bottom of the zone. Not to single anyone out, but doing that against Arroyo worked perfectly. He swung at missed at three straight sliders, all below the strike zone.
I also just think Stroman is significantly more talented than the likes of Tayler Scott and Brandon Walter

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Another chUMP who deserves a foul tip off the mask.

[Maxbialystock]

The long layoff may have had a negative effect on Paxton. It can be a bigger problem to some pitchers more than others.

Makes sense.

[Maxbialystock]

Entering this game the SOX had won 9 of their last 10. I guess they were due for a beat down.

Yep.

[Maxbialystock]

I also just think Stroman is significantly more talented than the likes of Tayler Scott and Brandon Walter

A fair point.

[Maxbialystock]

I know I'm by myself on this, but Devers' tantrum over the called 3d strike was too me unnecessary. First, neither pitch was way outside. Both were in the buffer zone and in fact both were in almost exactly the same spot. More than that, however, was/is the game situation: Cubs are clubbing the Sox pitching staff to death and have 10 runs. It's nice that the Sox have scored 3 runs, but no way, no how are they going to catch the Cubbies in this game.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

It should be interesting what the SOX FO does before the TDL, especially when both Sale and Story won't be returning until after the TDL. I guess the next 10 games against under .500 teams will have a big say it what will be done.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I know I'm by myself on this, but Devers' tantrum over the called 3d strike was too me unnecessary. First, neither pitch was way outside. Both were in the buffer zone and in fact both were in almost exactly the same spot. More than that, however, was/is the game situation: Cubs are clubbing the Sox pitching staff to death and have 10 runs. It's nice that the Sox have scored 3 runs, but no way, no how are they going to catch the Cubbies in this game.

When Devers swings at pitches outside the strike zone, there's complaints. When he doesn't swing at pitches outside the strike zone, he garners complaints. The pitches were either balls or strikes. The F'ing ump called two pitches outside the strike zone strikes. Devers should have been pissed. In fact, I compliment him for not confronting the chUMP and getting tossed.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

I'm not a fan of Boone's, but I will say this about him. He's not afraid to confront these inept chUMPS when they're calling a bad game. I believe his players respect that.

[d-money]

What a fucking shitty game. Get em tomorrow.

[Maxbialystock]

When Devers swings at pitches outside the strike zone, there's complaints. When he doesn't swing at pitches outside the strike zone, he garners complaints. The pitches were either balls or strikes. The F'ing ump called two pitches outside the strike zone strikes. Devers should have been pissed. In fact, I compliment him for not confronting the chUMP and getting tossed.

I'm aware of the issue(s) concerning what he swings at, but, while I do like him to swing at strikes, I also know he can be effective swinging at pitches outside the zone.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

On the bright side, at least the SOX didn't have to use their 2 best relievers, Kenley and Martin, today.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

Hey, MAX, looks like your tomorrow's game thread opener. You're due for a streak.

[moonslav59]

Crappy game. Let’s see how they react, tomorrow.

[Maxbialystock]

Hey, MAX, looks like your tomorrow's game thread opener. You're due for a streak.

Coming from the world champion, that's real incentive.